At least fifteen traders have been brutally killed by gunmen suspected to be herders in Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State
Local sources told our correspondent that the victims were ambushed on Saturday evening while returning from the Oweto Market. The attackers reportedly emerged from a nearby bush and opened fire, killing fifteen traders on the spot.
Confirming the incident, a former Vice Chairman of Agatu LGA, John Ikwulono, said the assailants also looted the victims’ money and personal belongings before fleeing into the surrounding forests.
“As I speak to you, some persons are still missing, while those who sustained gunshot wounds have been taken to a hospital for treatment,” Ikwulono said during a telephone interview.
The attack has sparked fear and tension in the affected communities, with many residents calling for urgent government intervention.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Catherine Anene, said she had not yet been briefed on the incident.
This tragic event adds to the growing list of violent attacks in the region, where herder-farmer clashes and banditry have remained persistent challenges.
